NBA: Top five forwards of all time

3. Elgin Baylor; 1958-1972, Los Angeles Lakers

Career Averages: 27.4 ppg; 13.5 rebounds; 4.3 assists

Baylor was a fore-runner of a whole new class of forwards. At 6’5″, he ushered in an era of players who played at both Shooting Guard and Small Forward.

He was the pioneer of the mid-air clutch shots. Baylor simply did not obey the laws of gravity. He used to hang in the air, twist and turn and somehow land the ball into the basket. This style of play was later improved on by future mid-air marvels like Dr. J, Michael Jordan and Connie Hawkins.

At 6’5″, the number of RPG he has accumulated is simply spectacular. In fact, he averaged 15+ rebounds each game during his first four seasons. He would probably credit that to his incredible vertical.

Baylor is a Hall of Famer and was the former General Manager of the Los Angeles Clippers for 22 years. He even won the NBA Executive of the year award in 2006.